Two police officers, Chrispus Murakhi Butali and Samwel Mbugua Njuguna, have been formally charged with stock theft after being accused of slaughtering a cow that was reported missing at Kaptagat Police Station.
The officers were arraigned before the Iten Law Courts and released on a cash bail of Sh40,000 or a bond of Sh200,000 with surety.
The charges, confirmed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), include stock theft under Section 278 of the Penal Code, killing an animal with the intent to steal under Section 289 of the Penal Code, and handling stolen goods under Section 322 of the Penal Code. Both officers denied the charges when they appeared in court.
The case is scheduled for a mention on January 2, 2025.
The two officers were arrested on Tuesday in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County, after being allegedly caught in the act of slaughtering a cow that had been reported missing by a local resident.
The complainant had alerted authorities upon discovering that several of her cows were missing.
A police report stated that, upon receiving the complaint, the scene was visited by senior police officials, including the SCPC Keiyo, SCCIO Keiyo South, and the OCS of Kaptagat. The scene was secured, processed, and documented for further investigation.
The incident sparked widespread outrage among local residents, who staged protests both inside and outside the Kaptagat Police Station.
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